The 10 best matchups on the 2017 NFL preseason schedule, ranked

10 out of 65 ain't bad

The NFL released its 65-game preseason schedule Monday, and even though most of the games will be forgotten by September, there are a few matchups to look forward to. Here are our 10 favorites, with dates and TV included when they were made available.

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10

Jacksonville Jaguars at New England Patriots, Week 1 (Aug. 10-14)

Jaguars … we know, but it’s the first time the Patriots get to run out onto their home field as the DEFENDING SUPER BOWL CHAMPION NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS. Well, the first time in two years, at least.

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9

Dallas Cowboys vs. Arizona Cardinals, Thursday, Aug. 3 (8 p.m., NBC)

This is not only the first preseason game, it’s the first Hall of Fame Game in two years – given that faulty field conditions led to the cancellation of last year’s Packers-Colts showdown. So Canton fans will see the big names for one more series this year than they did in 2016.

8

Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Chargers, Week 1 (Aug. 10-14)

The Chargers almost certainly will get a sellout to welcome them in their first home game after moving from San Diego to Los Angeles. That’s because their temporary home until 2019 will be the 30,000-seat StubHub Center, which was built for soccer. If you want to see a new NFL venue, this will be your first chance in the 2017 preseason.

Victor Decolongon

7

Arizona Cardinals at Atlanta Falcons, Week 3 (Aug. 24-27)

There were plenty of eyes on when the NFL would give the Falcons their first preseason home game because of construction delays at the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium, which is scheduled to open this summer. Week 3 got the nod, so we’ll finally get to see what is supposed to be a fantastic facility sometime between Aug. 24-27. By then, maybe the Falcons will have gotten over the sting of losing a 25-point lead in the Super Bowl.

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6

New Orleans Saints at Cleveland Browns, Week 1 (Aug. 10-14)

There’s usually a lot of anticipation surrounding the first on-field appearance of the No. 1 overall pick – particularly when it’s a quarterback. That likely won’t be the case this time around, with Cleveland expected to take pass rusher Myles Garrett, but Browns fans will warm up to him just fine if he can get a sack in front of the home crowd.

The first battle for Los Angeles will be played at the Rams’ temporary home field, the Coliseum. The Chargers made LA a two-team city for the first time since 1994 when they announced this offseason that they would join the Rams in LA. The teams will share a new stadium in 2019, but for now the focus will be on whether Rams quarterback Jared Goff looks any better as a sophomore than he did as a rookie.

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4

Kansas City Chiefs at Seattle Seahawks, Friday, Aug. 25 (CBS, 8 p.m.)

This is CBS’ first nationally televised preseason game, which means it almost certainly will be our first chance to see how Tony Romo does as that network’s new No.1 analyst alongside Jim Nantz. Chiefs fans can spend the time pondering whether CBS’ announcer is better than their starting QB.

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3

Los Angeles Rams at Oakland Raiders, Week 2 (Aug. 17-21)

It’s hard to remember which city either team belongs to at this point, but Raiders fans probably can tell you if you’ve forgotten. This will be their first chance to welcome their team back to Oakland after it announced in the offseason that it will begin playing in Las Vegas in 2020.

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2

Green Bay Packers at Denver Broncos, Week 3 (Aug. 24-27)

The Broncos are expected to enter training camp with one of the league’s best quarterback battles – last year’s starter Trevor Siemian vs. last year’s first-round pick Paxton Lynch. And given that Week 3 is when the best players get the most playing time, this might just be the game that determines who will start the regular-season opener. Oh, and Aaron Rodgers will be out there, too.

1

Oakland Raiders at Dallas Cowboys, Week 3 (Aug. 24-27)

Again, if you are going to take in an entire preseason game, make it in Week 3. This game tops the list because it’s the best on-field matchup of the week that gives the starters the most playing time. Last year’s two regular-season darlings are both legitimate Super Bowl contenders, so the first half might actually tell us something.